Holy Shire

Italian Folk Metal Band

The band was founded by Max (drummer) in October 2009 with the aim of writing and performing original metal music with a symphonic and epic inspiration and fantasy lyrics. In the summer of 2010 we added female backing vocals and flute to the initial line up of five elements (vocals, drums, bass, guitar and keyboard), essential addition to give our music a taste of magic and fantasy, and then we recorded the first demo of 6 tracks. In autumn we played at Celtic New Year’s Fest in Milan (an important Italian folk festival - “Capodanno Celtico”). In January 2011 we recorded the last song we composed, "Holy Shire", included in the compilation distributed with “Rock Hard” Magazine in May 2011 with the interview of the band. Among the several shows done, a very intense and unique one was the concert for the inmates of the Jail of Milan Bollate, in March 2011. Shortly after we added a second guitar to the line up, that became of 8 members . On July 11 we got back to the studio to record an EP, “Pegasus”, which is freely downloadable from FB and two videos, "Moonrise" and the cover of the traditional song "Greensleeves", available on YouTube. After composing 7 new songs, in May 2012 we recorded our first album “Midgard”. On July 2012 we were selected with "Greensleeves" for the new version of the unsigned bands contest Rock (r) Evolution by Vasco Rossi. Unfortunately the competition was suspended. At the beginning of 2013 we changed some members and a new bassist and an Argentinian opera lady singer joined the band. On April 2013 we shot the new video used to launch the single "Winter is coming", loosely based on Game of Thrones’ fantasy saga. In March 2014 we signed with Bakerteam Records for the distribution of our debut album "Midgard" and planned its launch with video and important concerts such as the Masters of Rock in Czech Republic, Metal for Emergency playing as opening act to Mago de Oz, Unicorn Fantasy Festival in Vinci (Tuscany) and Lucca Comics & Games. We shot a second video for the song "Bewitched (My Words are Power)" from "Midgard" inspired by the character of the red witch Melisandre (Game of Thrones). At the end of 2014 we joined the roster of Bagana Rock Agency and announced that a new singer joined the band following the departure of former vocalist, as well as our former flutist, replaced by a new lady flutist in 2015. In 2016 we continued the live promotion of “Midgard” in clubs and festivals. In May 2017 we started recording the second album, with the production of 3 songs by Masha Mysmane (Exilia), shot the new video of the first single “Danse Macabre”. End of September we mastered the album @ Finnvox Studio and start chasing for a new label contract. The new album, named “The Legendary Shepherds of the Forest”, contains 10 new songs inspired by fantasy themes but also by historical suggestions, and there are 4 guest lady singers duetting with Aeon. At the beginning of 2018 Claudia Beltrame joined as Unicorn vocals. In March 2018 we signed with Heavy Metal Records (Revolver Records, UK). The new album was released the 26th October 2018 with promotion and press office by Bagana Rock Agency, anticipated by the lyric video of “the Legendary Shepherds of the Forest” and the video of “Danse Macabre”. After 7 years of collaboration bass player Piero left the band to be replaced by Michele who joined in March 19 and soon after in April the guitarist Andrew Moon left after 9 years in the band. In June Frank (guitar) and Claudia (unicorn vocals) both leave the project. Overcome the turbulences, in September the new line up with Julie as unicorn vocals and Mattia on guitar presented the show at Legend Club Milano in the fund raise event “For The Trees” where everything raised was devolved to a couple of environmental associations. We’re now writing the third album. theMaxx Massimo Pianta Drums (2009-present) See also: ex-Insania, ex-Res, ex-Midian Aeon Erika Ferraris Vocals (dragon vocals) (2009-present) ex-Midian Kima Chiara Brusa Flute (2015-present) Mike the Viking Michele di Nuzzo Bass (2019-present) Tia Mattia Stilo Guitars (2019-present) See also: ex-In-Sight, ex-Foredawn Julie Giulia Fiore Vocals (unicorn vocals) (2019-present) Reverend Jack Simeone Monici Keyboards (2009-2016) Andrew Moon Andrea Faccini Guitars (2010-2019) Blackbass Piero Chiefa Bass (2012-2019) See also: ex-Lunae Frank Campese Guitars (2016-2019) See also: Eyes of Soul, Logic Edge, Ghost Opera, Heller Ed Gibson Edoardo Santoni Guitars (2011-2015) La SiSiki Eliana Sanna Vocals (unicorn vocals 2013-2014) Aileen Simona Pala Vocals (unicorn vocals) (2014-2015) See also: ex-Though Machine Claudia Beltrame Vocals (unicorn vocals) (2018-2019) See also: ex-Chakrah Alessandro Baglione Flute (2011-2014)